Singer Annie Lennox has been honored by Nobel Peace Laureates for her work promoting awareness of AIDS and peace at the 10th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Berlin.
The 2009 Woman Of Peace award was presented by former Nobel Peace Prize winner Mikhail Gorbachev. Lennox was chosen by 22 Nobel Peace Laureates for her work in raising awareness of the HIV/AIDS impact on women and children, especially in South Africa, through her SING campaign that enlisted 23 of the world’s most acclaimed female vocalists in recording “Sing,” written by Lennox.
Annie started the SING campaign after visiting South Africa to perform in the inaugural concert of Nelson Mandela's 46664 HIV campaign. During that trip, she witnessed the lack of resources available to help the world’s largest population living with the devastating disease. Since 2003, SING has raised $2 million and through its partnership with the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), has helped to provide South Africans with treatment and testing, HIV education, and prevention programs.
Earlier this year, the singer was also outspoken about violence in Gaza, and has been an active peace activist since the 1980s. The Oct. 26th issue of Holyrood, Scotland’s leading current affairs magazine, said of its native daughter, “There is something incredibly human about Lennox…She undoubtedly has a huge capacity for compassion.”
“I want to express my profound gratitude and deep humility,” said Lennox. “I honour all the women working around the globe to reduce the effects of this pandemics. This is for them, they truly deserve it.”
Each year, the Nobel Peace Laureates honor a distinguished figure in the entertainment and arts community for their efforts in defending human rights and promoting world peace and solidarity. Recent Peace Summit Award winners include U2's Bono, actors Don Cheadle and George Clooney, and former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Nobel Peace Laureates Summit will focus global attention on breaking down walls that divide humanity and building bridges of understanding, much as the Berlin Wall divided the East and West until its fall 20 years ago.
Lennox was presented with a piece of the Berlin Wall as part of her award. For more information please visit www.nobelforpeace-summits.org.
